Osimhen & Sadiq return as Nigeria eye 2025 AFCON spot

11/08/2024 08:00 AM

Strikers Victor Osimhen and Sadiq Umar have been recalled to the Nigeria squad as the Super Eagles look to secure their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals.

Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen has also called goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoye, and defenders Calvin Bassey and Bright Osayi-Samuel.

Midfielders Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze are also part of the squad.

The Super Eagles will fly directly to Abidjan on 11 November, for the confrontation with the Cheetahs of Benin at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on Thursday, 14th November.

The team will then travel down to Uyo for the final qualifying game against the Amavubi of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Monday, 18th November.

Eguavoen’s side need just two points from their matches against Benin and Rwanda to qualify for the AFCON finals which will be hosted by Morocco.

Nigeria’s full squad

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)